The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-02-23
FITZ LEES LITTLE JOKE.
How He Captured a Yankee Officers
Ealise.
St. Louis Globe-Democrat.) }

(ot LOUIS Siope-OeiIioCIdIJ
In 1861 Fitzhugh Lee, now Governor
of Virginia, was commanding the Con-
federate outpost in Fairfax county as
Colonel of cavalry. Colonel Tannant,
who was an intimate friend and class
mate of Lees at West Point, was in
command of the Union cavalry outpost
near Alexandria. One day Tannant re-
ceived orders to advance and feel the
Confederate position in front. A bat
talon of men, made up from the depart
ments and the city of Washington, called
the Presidents Body Guard, was assign
ed him to make the advance. He said to
friend before leaving:
81 want soldiers with me on this e1-
pedition. [ know Fitz Lee, have slept
witt. him, and whenever We come togeth-
er somebody will have to do some good
fighting OF fast running. l know Fitz
Will fight. If I had soldiers and not
these dress-parade fellows, would be
delighted to give my friend brush, just
to let him see how nicely We can whip
him back into the Union"
In the meantime his wife had packed
his valise with clean linen and a bottle
of old Hennessey brandy. When every
thing was ready Colonel Tannant took
up the line of march along the Fairfax
and Alexandria turnpike, in the direc-
ton of Fairfax Court House. After the
command had advanced few miles and
come to halt to rest, the Colonel ad-
dressed his men in the following words:
attention! battalion: am now
speaking to you as soldiers who have en-
listed to defend your country, and as
fellow citizens. want every man to do
his duty in the time of battle as soldier
should. II there are any of you who are
not willing to do this, step three PAGES
to the front"
Not man moved. They stood Ike
wall Of granite. This gave the Colonel
much encouragement.
"Now, my soldiers" said he, "with
this determination on your part, we will
continue our advance and drive the
enemy back, or capture the entire
force
Within few miles of the courthouse
they encountered the Confederate pick
cts, and succeeded in driving them back.
This gave the command new courage.
On they pushed. But, alas! Soon
Turner Ashby, with his Black Horse
Cavalry, came charging on their flank,
while Fitz Lee pressed them in front.
The engagement began to get interesting,
when suddenly Pelham's Horse Artillery
u..limbered on the left flank, and began
to poul CALLING fire into Tannant's
ranks. He rode to the front, leading
the charge against Fitz Lee on the other
side. The men seeing the situation be-
came demoralized and retreated in con-
fusion, falling back to Alexandra. The
Union forces lost a few killed and some
prisoners. Colonel Tannant's headquar-
tiers ambulance was captured, with his
rations and baggage.
a few days after the fight dilapidated
team drove up to his headquarters with
the letters &C. S. A." branded on the
skeleton mules, ard in dim white letters
on the side OF the topless ambulance also
appeared sc. S. A." and the drivers,
instead of wearing the blue had on a suit
of gray. The driver entered Colonel
Tannant's tent with military salute,
bearing in his hand the Colonel's valise.
"Where did you come from?" de-
manded the Colonel.
II came from Colonel Fitz Lees head
quarters" was the reply. she swapped
teams and clothes with me and told me
l could come back and bring your Valise,
and here it is, Colonel"
':An right, my man, said the Colonel.
$50 to your quarters and change your
uniform, and report for duty"
Colonel Tannant took the valise over
to his wfe's room and opened it. The
contents OF the valise were q note which
ran in the following words:
"Outpost Confederate Army, Virginia.
My Dear Tant: [ have opened your
vahse, appropriated your biled shirts for
change, and also your bottle of old
Hennessey for bad cold. | traded
ambulances and teams also. When you
come out again bring more comnissary
and quartermaster stores. FITz."
Colonel Tannant kept the note until
the close of the war, telling no one about
it but his faithful and loving wife.
Tannant has been living in Tennessee
since the war. Recently he and Lee
met and bottle Of old Hennessey was
discussed.